Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Certificate in General Duty Assistant (GDA) at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Chennai, is a short-term, skill-based programme offered under the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. The course is designed to train students in basic patient care, ward management, and hospital support services, enabling graduates to assist nurses and doctors in delivering quality healthcare. The programme spans 6 months, with a total fee of Rs. 15,000, and is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at SRIHER's Porur campus in Chennai. The GDA course is affiliated with the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), Delhi, and is popular among students seeking a quick, affordable entry into the healthcare support sector. With India's healthcare industry expanding rapidly, trained General Duty Assistants are in high demand across hospitals, nursing homes, and elder care facilities.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are currently open. Applications are being accepted online through the official SRIHER admissions portal (apply.sriramachandra.edu.in). The last date for application submission is tentatively April 15, 2026. Admission is merit-based, with selection conducted through a personal interview. No national-level entrance exam is required for this certificate programme.

Key Points

The GDA course at SRIHER is affiliated with the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), Delhi, providing national-level industry recognition under the NSDC framework.
Students receive hands-on training in a live hospital environment at SRIHER's 2,500-bedded teaching hospital, which is a significant practical advantage.
The course covers essential skills including patient hygiene, mobility assistance, vital signs monitoring, ward management, and basic first aid.
Graduates are eligible for employment in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, elder care facilities, and home healthcare services.
The small batch size ensures personalised attention and focused clinical training.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

SRIHER Latest Updates and News

12 Apr, 2026 SRIHER Admission 2026-27 is open for all UG & PG programs. Apply @sriramachandra.edu. Check course-wise application dates.

SRIHER GDA Fees

The Certificate in General Duty Assistant at SRIHER is one of the most affordable healthcare training programmes offered by the institution. The total course fee is Rs. 15,000 for the entire 6-month programme, payable as a one-time lump sum at the time of admission. There are no additional tuition components or semester-wise breakups. Hostel facility is available on campus for outstation students but is optional and charged separately.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	15,000
Other Charges	Included in tuition
Total Fees	15,000

Hostel facility is available on campus and is optional.
Hostel fees are charged separately and are not included in the above total.
Mess facility is compulsory if hostel is availed.
Application fee of Rs. 1,000 is non-refundable and is paid separately at the time of applying.
Fee once paid is subject to the university's refund policy.
Refer to the official SRIHER refund policy document on the university website for details.

SRIHER GDA Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Certificate in General Duty Assistant at SRIHER are conducted annually, typically opening in February-March and closing by mid-April. The selection process is merit-based and involves a personal interview conducted by the university. Candidates are shortlisted based on their 10+2 marks, with preference given to those with a science background. No management quota exists; all admissions are strictly merit-based.

Admission Dates 2026-27

Event	Date
Application Portal Opens	February 2026 (Ongoing)
Last Date for Application Submission	April 15, 2026 (Tentative)
Interview / Selection Process	April-May 2026 (Tentative)
Commencement of Academic Session	June 2026 (Tentative)

Note: No separate entrance exam is conducted for this certificate programme. Admission is based on interview performance and 10+2 marks.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (HSC) from a recognised board.
Preference is given to candidates who have studied Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) at the 10+2 level.
Minimum marks requirement: Pass in 10+2 (general merit-based selection through interview).

Admission Process

Visit the official SRIHER admissions portal: apply.sriramachandra.edu.in
Register and create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number.
Fill in the online application form with personal and academic details.
Upload required documents (passport-size photograph, 10th and 12th mark sheets, Aadhaar card, community certificate if applicable).
Pay the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 1,000 online (Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking).
Shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview at the SRIHER campus, Chennai.
Final admission is offered based on interview performance and merit rank.
Complete fee payment and document verification to confirm admission.

SRIHER GDA Scholarships 2026-27

SRIHER offers scholarship and financial aid options for meritorious and economically weaker students. While specific scholarship schemes exclusively for certificate programme students are limited, students may be eligible for government-sponsored post-matric scholarships and institution-level merit-cum-means awards. Given the already low fee of Rs. 15,000 for this programme, the financial burden is minimal. Students from SC/ST/OBC categories may also benefit from state and central government scholarship schemes.

Scholarship Options

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Founder-Chancellor Merit-cum-Means Scholarship	Meritorious students with financial need; based on academic performance and family income	Partial to full fee waiver (varies by case)
Founder-Chancellor Cash Award / Merit Scholarship	High academic achievers	Cash award (amount varies)
Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC)	Students belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories with valid community certificate	As per government norms; covers tuition and maintenance
State Government Scholarship (Tamil Nadu)	Tamil Nadu domicile students from reserved categories	As per Tamil Nadu government scholarship norms

Students must apply for government scholarships through the respective state/central scholarship portals (e.g., National Scholarship Portal - scholarships.gov.in).
Institution-level scholarships are applied for at the time of admission or as notified by the university.
Scholarship availability and amounts are subject to change each academic year.
Confirm details from the SRIHER admissions office.

SRIHER Certification General Duty Assistant Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#397 out of 632 in India 2025

#12th in Chennai

#37 in Tamil Nadu

Indiatoday Ranking

#11 out of 20 in Top Universities in India 2025

NIRF Ranking

#21 out of 50 in India 2025

#4th in Chennai

#6 in Tamil Nadu

IIRF Ranking

#15 out of 57 in Top Private Colleges in India 2025

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SRIHER GDA FAQs

Ques. What does a General Duty Assistant do in a hospital? What are the key job responsibilities?

Ans. A General Duty Assistant (GDA) provides basic patient care and support services in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Key responsibilities include assisting patients with daily activities (bathing, feeding, mobility), monitoring and recording vital signs, maintaining ward cleanliness and hygiene, assisting nurses during procedures, transporting patients within the hospital, and providing emotional support to patients and families. GDAs work under the supervision of nurses and doctors and are an essential part of the hospital support team.

Ques. What is the career scope after completing the GDA certificate from SRIHER? What is the salary?

Ans. After completing the GDA certificate, graduates can work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, elder care facilities, home healthcare agencies, and corporate wellness centres. The demand for trained GDAs is high across India, particularly in metro cities and tier-2 towns. Starting salaries for GDAs in India typically range from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh per year, with higher pay in private hospitals and corporate healthcare settings. With experience, GDAs can advance to senior patient care roles or pursue further studies in nursing or allied health sciences.

Ques. Is the GDA certificate from SRIHER recognised? Will it help me get a job in reputed hospitals?

Ans. Yes, the GDA certificate at SRIHER is affiliated with the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), Delhi, which operates under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). This gives the certificate national-level recognition. SRIHER's strong reputation as a premier deemed university, combined with its 2,500-bedded teaching hospital, makes this certificate highly valued by employers. Many SRIHER allied health graduates are placed in reputed hospitals such as Fortis, Kauvery, and other leading healthcare institutions.

Ques. Can a student who has passed only 10th standard apply for the GDA course at SRIHER?

Ans. The minimum eligibility for the GDA certificate at SRIHER is a pass in 10+2 (HSC) from a recognised board. While some institutions offer GDA courses after 10th standard, SRIHER's programme requires 10+2 completion. Students who have only passed 10th standard are not eligible to apply at SRIHER. It is advisable to confirm the latest eligibility criteria directly with the SRIHER admissions office before applying.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for outstation students? What are the charges?

Ans. Yes, SRIHER provides hostel facilities on campus for outstation students. Hostel accommodation is optional and not included in the course fee of Rs. 15,000. Mess facility is compulsory if hostel is availed. Exact hostel charges are available in the official hostel fee details document on the SRIHER website (sriramachandra.edu). It is advisable to apply for hostel at the earliest to secure a room, as availability may be limited for short-duration certificate programmes.

Ques. After completing the GDA course, can I pursue further studies to advance my career in healthcare?

Ans. Yes, after completing the GDA certificate, graduates can pursue further studies to advance their healthcare career. Options include diploma programmes in Nursing (GNM), B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Allied Health Sciences, or other paramedical diploma/degree programmes, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria of the respective institutions. Some students also pursue additional HSSC certifications or short-term courses in specialised areas such as elder care, home health aide, or patient care technician to enhance their employability.